Synonyms

Definitions

Computational dynamics refers to the numerical solution of the time evolution equations pertaining to specific dynamical systems. In continuum mechanics, the time evolution equations typically come in the form of initial boundary value problems (IBVP). The numerical solution of the partial differential equations associated with the IBVP relies on the discretization of the original problem in space and time. The discretization process translates the underlying infinite-dimensional problem to a finite-dimensional (or discrete) system of algebraic equations which is amenable to a computer-based numerical solution.

Introduction

Continuum mechanics embraces both fluid and solid mechanics. The focus of the present work is on computational solid dynamics, leaving aside the separate branch of computational fluid dynamics. The main task of computational solid dynamics is the...